COVID-19 and related health problems that can be influenced by nutritional intervention and micronutrient supplementation. Understanding these factors can be an important and productive part of preventing, addressing, and recovering from all COVID-19 variants.
The information provided is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice from a licensed physician or other qualified health care professional.
The objective of the orthomolecular approach is to promote immunity and health by providing the body with optimal amounts of vitamins and minerals. The immune system REQUIRES adequate amounts of nutrients for the proper functioning of all its complex metabolic processes and components. A healthy, well-functioning immune system offers protection against ALL viruses – including SARS-CoV-2 and its variants.
Nutrients function synergistically in the body to create health benefits that are greater than any nutrient could produce alone.
Nutrient synergies relevant to the context of COVID-19 .
Vitamin D and magnesium – Magnesium is required for the synthesis, transport, and activation of vitamin D (Dominguez et al., 2021). Supplementation of magnesium is recommended when taking vitamin D (Mercola et al., 2020).
Vitamin D, B12, and magnesium
17 patients with COVID-19 were supplemented with:
1000 IU vitamin D
500 mcg vitamin B12
150 mg magnesium
Compared to those who did not, those who received the nutrients had (DiNicolantonio & O’Keefe, 2021):
87% decreased risk of needing oxygen therapy
85% lower risk of needing intensive care support
An ecological study by Galmés et al. (2020) showed that inadequate intake of vitamin D, vitamin C, vitamin B12, and iron is associated with increased COVID-19 incidence or mortality.
A review of immune-boosting nutrients in the context of COVID-19 by Shakoor et al. (2021) concluded that higher than recommended supplementation of vitamins D, C, E; zinc; and omega 3 fatty acids, could reduce COVID-19 viral load and duration of hospitalization.
Glutathione deficiency can suppress vitamin D synthesis and metabolism (Vyas et al., 2021).
Glutathione deficiency may be the main driver of vitamin D deficiency in COVID-19 complications and mortality (Polonikov, 2020).
Together, vitamin C and quercetin have synergistic anti-viral and immunomodulatory properties.
Vitamin C recycles quercetin, increasing its protective effect (Colunga Biancatelli et al., 2020).